WISAMO: an innovative wind propulsion solution
With its innovation “WISAMO - Wing Sail Mobility,” Michelin aims at contributing to maritime transport decarbonization, improving the environmental footprint of commercial ships. (1) The WISAMO wingsail was officially presented in 2021 by Florent Menegaux, chairman of the Michelin group, at the international Movin’On mobility summit.
WISAMO, which draws on the Group’s innovation prowess and its historic expertise in high-tech materials, particularly for inflatable structures, fits perfectly into Michelin’s “All-sustainable” approach. The Group, which ships its tires by sea, aims to reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain.
From innovation to prototype
WISAMO is at the forefront of this new industry using the free, clean and inexhaustible energy of the wind to propel ships more sustainably.
The wingsail is a “plug and play” system, for all type of vessel, including new builds (Original Equipment) or existing vessel (Retrofit), with no impact for the crew , while reducing their carbon footprint.
WISAMO is engineered around three key features : an inflated fabric wingsail and a telescopic mast, raising and lowering automatically thanks to a digital control system.
WISAMO showcases Michelin’s ambitions for growth in new areas beyond tires, as laid out in its “Michelin in Motion” strategic plan.
(1) Wisamo is a sail propulsion system designed to reduce the carbon footprint of maritime transport; currently in testing phase with two prototypes in real maritime conditions.
